PANKO-CRUSTED GOAT CHEESE WITH TOMATO AND ASPARAGUS SALAD

PANKO-CRUSTED GOAT CHEESE WITH TOMATO AND ASPARAGUS SALAD image

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 Log (about 11 ounces) fresh mild goat cheese, preferably French Chevrion
½ Cup all-purpose flour
2 Large eggs, lightly beaten
1 Cup Panko bread crumbs
8 Spears jumbo asparagus
½ Cup soybean or corn oil
3 Small vine-ripened tomatoes, peeled, cored and cut into 8 wedges or slices
1 Cup baby greens, such as arugula or watercress, washed and dried
½ Cup Balsamic Vinaigrette (recipe follows)
For Balsamic Vinaigrette
2 Garlic cloves, thinly sliced
½ Cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
1 Teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

Put the garlic slices and oil in a small glass bowl and microwave on high power for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. Using a sharp knife dipped into hot water and wiped dry, a cheese wire, or a piece of (unflavored) thick dental floss, slice the goat cheese into 8 pieces slightly less than 1 inch thick. Place on a large plate. Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Place the flour, eggs, and panko in three separate shallow bowls. Coat each slice of goat cheese with flour, shaking to remove any excess. Dip into the eggs and turn to coat well, and then dip into the panko, turning and pressing lightly to coat well. Place on the lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until ready to fry. Trim off the tough bottom ends of the asparagus spears. Peel the stems, and then cut into diagonal pieces about 2 inches in length. Cook the asparagus in a medium saucepan of boiling salted water for about 1 minute after the water returns to a boil. Immediately plunge the cooked asparagus into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain well and refrigerate until ready to use. Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the cheese slices and cook until lightly browned on the first side, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook until golden on the second side. Remove and place on a baking sheet lined with several layers of paper towels to drain. The Cheese can be kept warm on a baking sheet in a 200-degree oven for up to 30 minutes. To serve, place 4 pieces of tomato in the center of each of four large chilled plates. Top with 2 spears of the asparagus. Place the greens on top of the vegetables, and spoon the vinaigrette over all. Place 2 slices of the warm goat cheese on one side of each salad and serve.